Philippians 2 and verse 1 reads.
Phi.2:1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
[2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
As of the many membered bodied of the church, be as one spirit. Bowels is your inward affection.
Phi.2:3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Do nothing in anger, and take the lower seat, for Christ is the head of the church.
Phi.2:4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
This might sound like coveting, but it’s not, it is love or charity. Let’s go to 1Cor.13:4-5 and it reads.
1Cor.13:4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Back to Phi.2 and verse 5 reads.
Phi.2:5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
The love of the Father which was in Jesus is also in us.
Phi.2:6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
First is the prophesy of Isaiah, then the gospel of Matthew. Isa.7:14 reads.
Isa.7:14] Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Now Matthew 1 and verses 22-23 reads.
Mat.1:22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Love how Matthew interpreted Emmanuel for us, back to Phi.2 and verse 8 reads.
Phi.2:8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The whole reason for “God with us” Emmanuel, to die on the cross is given in Hebrews 2:14 and it reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Now that he was crucified, he can blot him out without apology. Back to Phi.2 and verse 9 reads.
Phi.2:9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Jesus means Yah’s Savior.
Phi.2:10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Easy for us to understand when we know what John said in his 2nd Epistle, and it reads.
2John 1:7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Back to Phi.2 and verse 12 reads.
Phi.2:12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Who can save himself? No one.
Phi.2:13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Let’s go to Revelations and find a comfort in the LORD’s word. Rev.4:11 reads.
Rev.4:11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
All includes you and me, for his pleasure we were created.
Phi.2;14] Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Remember what happened in the wilderness when they murmured against God.
Phi.2:15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Keeping your reputation pure from this world, not being perverse and crooked in it. We are the sons of God, let the light of Christ radiate from within you. Teach the word of God boldly without apology.
Phi.2:16] Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Paul is speaking boldly for the day of the Lord, that would be in these days. But that he said it better in 1Corinthians 9:23-27 and it reads.
1Cor.9:23] And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
As our teacher he partakes with us.
1Cor.9:24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
[26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
We don’t run to come in second place, but to win.
1Cor.9:27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
So, we see here that Paul is teaching us to speak and teach boldly also. Back to Phi.2 and verse 17 reads.
Phi.2:17] Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
[18] For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Together we will win the race.
Phi.2:19] But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
This is said with more information in 1Thes.3:2-8 and it reads.
1Thes.3:2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
[4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
[6] But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
[7] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
[8] For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
Back to Phi.2 and verse 20 reads.
Phi.2:20] For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
[21] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
[22] But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
[23] Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
[24] But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
Sending his brothers in Christ ahead of himself.
Phi.2:25] Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
[26] For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Sending him to show you that he is sick no more. He must have been loved by this church.
Phi.2:27] For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
[28] I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
[29] Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
[30] Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul is getting deeper and deeper with his studies. Hope you are enjoying them as I am. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible